Forty years after the genocide of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodians fear the difficulty of their future. Four years were enough for the Democratic Kampuchea regime to eradicate over 20% of the Cambodian population. Today, 65% of Cambodians are under 30. Characterized by its youthfulness, these people are seeking conscientiousness and are eager for prosperity. The stability of their future is however undermined by the complex and deep relationship they have with their history. The Khmer Rouge,...

In February, Amnesty International released their latest report on the state of human rights worldwide in 2014. Brazil stands out: “It is the country with the most killings in the world, ahead of some warzones” said Atila Rique, executive director of the organisation in Brazil. Brazil has long been known for its insecurity, but the 2014 track record is even more alarming: increase in homicides, numerous deaths during police operations, violently repressed demonstrations, attacks on journalists,...

Just as in 2014, Belgium runs the risk of lacking electricity for this winter. In response to this need, the operation of nuclear reactors Doel 1 and Doel 2 has been extended for another ten years. These extensions address the question of Belgium’s energy transition, according to which Belgium is committed to abandon nuclear power in 2025. Analysis to follow. Nuclear reactors Doel 1 and Doel 2 should then be able to run until 2025. At any rate, the Belgian Federal Parliament took the first step...

Whereas the Islamic State executed 20 Alawi Shi’ites Wednesday 27 May, and the leader of the Al-Nosra front invited the Alawi to convert to Sunnism to assure their safety in the future Syria in response, this religion raises many questions in Syria. Who are they that are of this confession? And can we characterize the current regime as the “Alawi Regime”? The Alawi represent 10-12% of the Syrian population, about 2-2.5 million people, according to Bruno Paoli, founder of the French Institute...

The medina of Fes, Morocco’s former capital and third largest city, is made up of a far-reaching network of pedestrian roads – straight and winding, cobble-stoned and paved and gravel. It has busy roads and quiet parts, abundant markets and open squares where artisans keep their workshops half inside, half out on the street. It seems to go on forever, which is almost true – the medina, founded in the 9th century, is the largest car-free area in the world. Fes-born architect and urban planner...

In a country where religion and culture are so important, boxing is intimately linked to the construction of the Thai nation. It gathers the youth around the same dream of becoming a big fighter, and sharing a joint passion. All Thais practice boxing at least once in their life. It is more than just a sport: this ancient art of fighting is part of everyday life in the kingdom of Thailand. Every boxing game is a full house. Thai boxing, more often called Muay Thai is a true religion. Its origins...

From July 11th to August 28th « una linea d’amore » will be held, an art exhibit organized by the tattooist Little Swastika in Reggio d’Emilie, Italy. Among other presentations will be swastikas, well known in Europe as the symbol of the Nazi Third Reich. Is Little Swastika a supporter of neo-Nazism or is he trying to desecrate this old loaded symbol? Explanations. If you happen to go to Italy this summer, more specifically to Reggio d’Emilie, you might have the surprise of bumping into an...

Although a curious and incomprehensible concept from a Western point of view, the Taiwanese fad for everything “cute” is a widespread phenomenon visible in all spheres of the society, especially amongst young women. What are the social facts hidden behind this phenomenon – disguised sexism, cult of youth or a refusal to get older? A decoding. “Cute” is everywhere. In Taipei, one only needs to wander down the streets of Ximending or visit the night market of Shilin to confirm this: shops that...

Since 1994, on the banks of the Volga in Russia, an outstanding place tries to bring together the great religions of our time. Joining the rich architectural heritage of Kazan, this “universal Temple” is the project of a visionary artist, Ildar Khanov, a monumentalist painter and sculptor who comes from the city. Founded around the year 100, Kazan is one of the most ancient metropolises of Eastern Europe, after Prague and Kiev. The capital of Tatarstan, a Russian province with a rich and...

The United Nations has 193 members among the 197 states it recognizes. While the Vatican and the Palestinian State are ‘only’ observers, the Cook Islands and Niue are non-member States since they are in free association with New Zealand. Other entities aspire to be recognized as member States as well. Who are they? What are the implications of such recognition? According to the UN: “the acknowledgement of new State or a new government is an act that only the other States and governments can do....